Forde steers Nenagh through
Nenagh CBS 1-7 Thurles CBS 0-8
Ciaran Quirke of Thurles CBS wins the ball ahead of his team-mate Sean Maher (right) and Nenagh's Conor Leo (left)
Thursday January 26 2012
Late points from Jason Forde and Padraig Shanahan edged Nenagh CBS past their Tipperary rivals at The Ragg yesterday.
Many had felt that Nenagh had lost their chance having let a five-point lead slip in the drawn game last week, but this time they finished the stronger to set up a semi-final against Ardscoil Rís.
Played in front of another big crowd despite the miserable conditions, both sides produced a gripping contest.
The opening period, though, yielded just four points, two for each side, with Nenagh captain Forde getting the sole score from play in the half.
Thurles made a brighter start to the second half with two Conor Lanigan points helping the seven-time champions to a two-point lead. However, Nenagh hit back with a point from James Mackey and two from the impressive Forde to go back in front in the 39th minute.
The lead didn't last long, though, as a three-point salvo from Lanigan, Pat Ralph and Sean Maher in a four-minute spell put Thurles in control.
Nenagh still trailed by two points with seven minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Shanahan was pulled down by John Ryan. Forde used the greasy sod to his advantage as his low shot skidded off the stick of Thurles goalkeeper Jimmy Maher into the net.
Thurles levelled in the 56th minute through a Lanigan free and the game appeared destined for extra-time.
But Forde struck over a 55-yard free after substitute Sean Geaney was brought down, and Shanahan sealed victory in the third minute of added-time.
Scorers -- Nenagh CBS: J Forde 1-5 (1-0 pen, 3f), P Shanahan, J Mackey 0-1 each. Thurles CBS: C Lanigan 0-5 (4f), S Kennedy (1f), P Ralph, S Maher 0-1 each.
Nenagh CBS -- W Power; D Quinn, J Flaherty, S Cleary; E Hynes, J Peters, K Gleeson; J Loughnane, T Gallagher; S O'Brien, J Forde, P Shanahan, P Fogarty, C Delaney, J Mackey. Subs: S Geaney for Delaney (50), C Leo for Cleary (58, inj).
Thurles CBS -- J Maher; J Bourke, J Ryan, B Troy; R Maher, S Kennedy, C Quirke; P Ralph, S Cahill; S Maher (S), P Hayes, S Maher (C); C Hammersley, K Slattery, C Lanigan. Subs: J Meagher for Slattery (h-t); E Moriarty for Hayes (57); D Burke for Ralph (61, inj).
Ref -- P Russell (Tipperary).
- Dr Harty Cup Q/F Replay
Irish Independent
